We have quite a number of freedoms here in the States. One of the most valuable is the freedom of religion. We practice our various religions without interference or direct approval of the government itself. I fear that is changing. Eric Holder, Attorney General of the US, gave a talk at the American Constitution Society. You can view an important aspect of it herhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife. This sounds well and good, and civil rights do need protection. However, most seem to have missed the most critical portion of the video. It is so critical, Holder said it twice. I will use the quotation from the article (and video), which I will bold the critical aspects.
"We've also expanded enforcement efforts to guarantee that in our work places, our military bases, in our housing and lending markets, in our voting booths in our border areas, in our schools and places of worship. And I mean all places of worship," Holder also said.
What does this mean? It means prepare to see the government ensuring the "civil right of marriage" is enforced at the pulpit of any American church. Crazy? Have I lost my mind? Not really- the act Holder mentions (the "Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act") was enacted to protect against hate crimes based on sexual orientation. This means the right to freely practice your religion will be infringed on for a perceived right of marriage to those your religion may not recognize. This act will be used to force churches to comply or be shut down. I expect this will be used on small churches first to set precedent probably within the next 9 months, then on larger churches, and finally, when it is too late to change the momentum, it will be used on Roman Catholic, Anglican, and any of the other very large church bodies. Be prepared, because the devil is at war against the Church. It appears he might have found a tool with which to persecute her (the Church) even in the USA. I pray I am not correct, but the best deceptions are in plain view.
11 comments:
Holder can "say" whatever he wants. It still has to be run through the court system and eventually to the Supreme Court. It is a first amendment issue. We haven't even begun to deal with the federal legislation that could run contrary to Holder's personal wishes. There are all kinds of ways around this. As a pastor I won't get into detail and show my hand to the other side. There are many ways having formerly lived in a city that barred my church's discrimination against hiring homosexuals for example even though that law and practice ran contrary to the teaching of the scriptures and the congregation. Christianity survived in the early centuries worshiping in the catacombs amongst the dry bones of the saints. Nothing says that we won't have to go through this again. In this regard Luther noted that historically the Christian church grows during persecution. It's not pleasant. It's still growth and may just be what God wills to test His church. -jrs
I fully expect and trust God will use this to further His kingdom. However, many people aren't as well versed in dealing with this type of persecution. They have been able to say "Well that's just California, that won't happen here!" That isn't true anymore, and they need to be aware of it (hence the post). Those methods you know of will come in handy, and I hope you pass them on to those who aren't well versed in this type of spiritual warfare. Regardless of the path of history, God alone holds the field, and the glory and honor. Amen.
Be religious on your own time. No need to force it on others... and some acts performed 'in the name of (insert relevant deities' name here)' are among the most horrific in human history. The Inquisition, anyone?
We are all 'god's' people. Many ways up the mountain, too.. not just the tiny little needle eye reserved for the sky fairy believers.
As for The Whore of Rome (Catholicism), perhaps they better clean up their child molesting and church of the blessed dancer (the nun who performs naked in 'ecstacy') before pointing the finger at queers!
By definition, religion is on each person’s own time. You apparently care for no one’s time but your own. However I care for your time as well as mine, so I will respond.
Violence is beget by people. Your response shows the type of vitriol that leads to such violence, regardless of the religion or lack thereof. Atrocities outside of religion have marred the 20th century with the blood of millions. These deaths were perpetrated by hate and fear of those who hold other opinions and beliefs, like religion.
God loves all people, but He is just. God has provided a way for the atonement of your sin, as well as mine, through the otherwise unfair sacrifice of His Son, innocent of the guilt and pain of sin. Jesus the Christ, God’s own Son, said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) This claims exclusivity of the path to salvation from sin and hate and death. There is no other way to be brought into heaven. The only road with many paths is the one to demons who don’t care how you get there, as long as you arrive. That is the non-exclusive road that is wide and open.
Roman Catholicism has its issues. However, they are not unique in the rejection of homosexuality. Islam condemns it with death. No one would suggest any Roman Catholic nun has anything to do with Islam in this regard. The rejection of homosexuality by Christianity is simply because it is wrong, and a sin. The sixth commandment states “You shall not commit adultery.” This means no sexual relations outside of marriage (defined by God at the Creation as between a man and woman). This, by definition, outlaws homosexuality. To remove any doubt, Leviticus 20:13 states “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” In other words, they have committed sin so grievous that no one will be guilty of executing those men. So if you have a problem with the prohibition of homosexuality, your quarrel is with the Law.
I took the time to reply because such a response filled with hateful contempt such as this one should not go unanswered, even though it certainly does not justify a response on its merit. If you despise Christians, that quarrel is between you and God. If you do not repent, your sins will make the pain of this world seem paltry. Taking your guilt out on Christians only shows your true master is the devil. I reject the devil, his works, and his ways. So I stand against your comments as the devils works, and do so publicly.
Didn't Jesus say 'Love thy neighbor'? I often hear the argument that Christians need not heed the restrictions the the Jewish faith proscribe as the coming of Jesus made them obsolete, wouldn't that also mean that one cannot use quotes from the old testament to justify a viewpoint that Jesus did not condone? Or did Jesus really say that homosexuality is a sin?
In short, yes it is a sin. You are taking Christ out of context. Your question comes from Matthew chapter 22, but it omits the key preceding words, found in verse 37, which I will carry through verse 40 for full reference.
“37Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.””
To love God is to do what He asks out of devotion and a desire to please Him. This means following the Commandments in their entire context because He wants you to, not because you must (desire versus obligation). The Commandments are quite clear- “You shall not commit adultery.” (Ex 20:14) Adultery is any sexual acts, including lust, outside the context of marriage, which God ordained in the Garden as He made man and woman. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (Gen. 2:24-25) Clearly you cannot be homosexual and not violate this commandment.
Furthermore, Christ did not revoke the Law! The rules of the Jews were not, and are not, God’s Law. God’s Law is the Commandments. Jesus Christ said:
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:17-19)
Clearly Christ maintains the Law as valid, so not only are the Commandments valid, but they still carry the punishment of death- temporal death for all and eternal death to those who do not have faith in God, and consequently Christ’s atoning work. Make no mistake: Christ speaks against homosexuality when He says to repent from sin, which is violation of the Law. Christ is the Word, and the Bible is the Word. If it is contained in the Commandments and in the Bible, Christ himself says it. If Christ is angry and throws men from the temple for selling animals for sacrifice (Matt 21; a seemingly benign thing to us), how much more furious will He be with people who rejected His Word and His Law? I suggest you read the first five books of the Old Testament for the background as well as the Epistles (Romans through Philemon, the whole New Testament would be better). You will find many references to adulterers not entering the Kingdom of God and Old Testament discussions of the application of the Law through stoning for various adulteries, which include homosexuality. This is a serious sin, with serious consequences. “Did God really say?” (Gen 3:1) Yes, He does.
nice post. I am waiting for ur next post
"Laws," "Sins," just words to couch various forms of hate. No thanks.
I agree- I want to have no part of sin. Rebellion from God (sin) through breaking of the Law (given by God) leads to God's hate and wrath, and ultimately eternal death. I trust in the grace God provides through the sacrifice of Christ. Go in Peace.
I completely support shutting down churches who spread hatred in the name of "religion". Children can go to school wearing t-shirts that say "Jesus is Lord and Homosexuality is a Sin", but I can't send my children to school with a t-shirt that says "God is Imaginary" without being accused of being a Satanist and having to bring them a new shirt or pick them up. Learn more at http://citizen-atheist.blogspot.com
If there is no God or satan, why do you care if you are called a Satanist? For that matter why would it care if they called you a Roman Catholic? Unless you fear that God does exist. Take your hate elsewhere.
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